Stone Barrington 27 - Doing Hard Time

vectored around by air traffic control. He could be headed back to Las Vegas or north to San Francisco or even east to Phoenix. You’ll just have to keep watching that screen. And you’d better watch closely, because Majorov gets into Vegas tomorrow, and he’s going to want to see that guy.”
    “Why does he have the hots for this Billy Burnett?”
    “It goes back to a deal to acquire The Arrington that Majorov tried to pull off last year, and failed.”
    “Burnett’s connected to that?”
    “Not exactly,” Igor replied. “Burnett’s connected to Peter Barrington, and his father, Stone Barrington, is connected to The Arrington.”
    •   •   •
    Peter, Hattie, Ben, Tessa, and Emma dined that evening at the newly redesigned Spago Beverly Hills. After they had ordered drinks and then their dinner, Ben excused himself and went off in search of the men’s room.
    “Tessa,” Peter said, “Ben has left the table because he doesn’t want to take part in the discussion we’re about to have.”
    “Why not?” Tessa asked.
    “Because he doesn’t want his friendship with you to play any part in your decision.”
    “What decision?”
    “Leo Goldman ran your screen test this afternoon, and we were there. You did an absolutely wonderful job, and I’d like to offer you—”
    “Hold it right there,” her mother said, throwing up a hand like a traffic cop. “Don’t you dare try to sign her to a studio contract.”
    “Mother, please . . .”
    “I’m not having it. I’ll have you bound and gagged and thrown on the first flight back to London if you even consider such a thing.”
    “Please, Mrs. Tweed,” Peter said. “Let me finish. I’d like to offer Tessa a featured role in our production that begins principal photography next week. It’s not a seven-year studio contract, not even close. What I’m offering Tessa is a two-picture deal with our production company, and the second film will be shot at some future, mutually agreeable date.”
    “How long would she have to stay in L.A.?” Emma asked.
    “Mother, kindly be quiet for a moment, will you?” Tessa pleaded. “I can’t make an informed decision until I’ve asked some questions. If Peter and I agree, then you can do the deal, all right?”
    Emma sighed deeply but said nothing.
    “How long would I have to stay in L.A.?” Tessa asked Peter.
    “Only a month or so,” Peter said. “Then you’ll be free to return to London or to stay here as long as you like. The second picture won’t be shot until next year at the earliest.”
    “She’ll be returning to London,” Emma said.
    “Mother! If you don’t be quiet, I’ll fire you and get an agent.”
    Emma threw up her hands. “All right, all right.”
    “Is this the part of Ashley?” Tessa asked. “I’ve read the script.”
    “It is,” Peter replied.
    “Then I accept, dependent on you and Mother agreeing on a deal.”
    “Mrs. Tweed,” Peter said, “I certainly want you to be happy with Tessa’s deal, but I really do think Tessa should hire an agent to represent her. This is a complicated business, and actors who are not well represented don’t get the best deals.”
    “Well, as long as I—”
    “Mother,” Tessa said, “I want you to be happy with the deal, too, but Peter is right: I’ll hire an agent, and you can express your views to him, but you cannot tell him what to do. This is leaving-the-nest time. Look at me—my wings are spread.” She flapped her long arms.
    Emma fumed a little, but agreed.
    Ben, who had been watching from behind a potted plant, returned to the table. “Everything all right?” he asked.
    “Everything is all right,” Tessa said. “Peter has made me an offer, and I’ve accepted, in principle. My agent will work out the details with him. You and Mother will stay out of it.”
    Ben beamed. “I wouldn’t touch it with a fork,” he said.
    •   •   •
    Teddy and Charmaine lunched on the deck of a restaurant that was practically falling into the Pacific, watching the waves roll in and crash against the rocks. They took a long walk along the beach, then did some shopping in the village. Late in the afternoon, with the sun threatening to fall into the Pacific, they drove back to the Monterey airport.
    When they were approaching Los Angeles airspace, Teddy called air traffic control and requested a VFR approach to Santa Monica Airport, then he was given a vector and a transponder code. He switched on the transponder and